Exercising device.



PATENTED OCT. 11, 1904.

W. G. RUHL. V EXEROISING DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED APR. 9, 1904.

N0 MODEL.

UNITED STATES Patented October 11, 1904.

PATENT OEEIoE.

WILLIAM GUY RUHL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO PHILIP R. KELLAR,HEPBURN RUHL, AND J UDSON S. BLASDEL, OF CHICAGO,

ILLINOIS.

EXERCISING DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 771,938, dated October11, 1904. Application filed April 9, 1904. Serial No. 202,288. Nomodel.)

T0 on whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM GUY RUHL, a citizen of the United States,residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illi.

nois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in ExercisingDevices; and I do hereby declare the following to be afull, clear, andexact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilledin the art to which 1t appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to a novel construction in an exercising andmuscle-developing device, the object being to provide a device which maybe removably attached to the foot or shoe and which will be operated bythe movements thereof to shift a weight, thereby exercising the musclesof the leg and jarring and vibrating the foot, ankle, and leg to acertain degree; and it consists in the features of construction andcombinations of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating my invention, Figure l is aside elevation of the foot having my exerciser attached thereto, thelatter being shown in perspective, mounted upon one side of said shoe.Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the foot, showing my device attachedthereto in a different position.

My said device comprises an L-shaped flat plate A, lined on the innerside with a sheet of felt B or similar soft material adapted to lieagainst the foot or shoe to prevent direct contact of the metaltherewith. Secured to the ends of said plate A are straps C and D,

said strap C being provided with a buckle E,

adapted to receive the end of said strap D, said straps being adapted topass around the foot to secure said plate A thereto. Secured to saidstrap D adjacent its connection with said plate A is a strap F, which isadapted to pass around the heel and enter and engage a buckle G on thestrap H, secured at its other end to said strap C, said straps F and Hbeing adapted to hold said plate A against longitudinal movement on thefoot in one direction when the same is mounted thereon in the positionshown in Fig. 1, the arch of the foot Mounted on said over which saidstraps C and D pass preventing movement in the opposite direction. plateA adjacent a corner or plate J, provided with parallel flanges K at itsends, in which a rod L, extending parallel with said plate J, ismounted, said rod serving as a guide for the sliding weight M, which isadapted to move from one end to the other of said rod in accordance withthe movements of the foot and is cushioned by means of the flexiblewasher N, mounted on said rod adjacent its ends. The said plate J ispivotally secured to said plate A by means of a rivet O or othersuitable device which will act to hold said plate in any positionrelatively to said plate A to which it may be turned. The said plate Ais secured to the foot so that one flange or leaf thereof projectsunderneath the arch of the foot and the other leaf thereof bears againstthe inner side thereof. The position may also be reversed, as will beobvious. When in this pobend thereof is a sition, the said plate J isturned so that it extends substantially parallel with the lower leaf andthe sale weignt is caused to move from one end to the other of said rodby alternately raising and lowering the toe, thereby obviously causingsaid rod to extend alternately at reverse inclines. The said plate A isalso adapted to be mounted on the toe portion of the foot, and when somounted one leaf thereof to which said plate J is pivoted rests upon thetoe portion and the other leaf thereof bears against the inner side ofsaid toe portion, said straps being passed around and buckled in aconvenient manner. When in this position, the said plate J is turned soas to extend substantially parallel with the side edges of the leaf ofsaid plate A to which it is secured, and said weight is caused to movefrom one end to the other of said rod by alternately turning the footfrom side to side at the ankle.

My said device is very convenient for use and provides just sufiicientresistance to the free movement of the foot, ankle, and leg to exercisethe muscles of the leg to the desired extent, and said weight whileproviding such resistance simultaneously has the effect of jarring orvibrating the foot, ankle, and leg each time that it reaches eitherlimit of its movement, thereby imparting certain desirable effects.

I claim as my invention 1. An exerciser comprising a supporting member,means for securing same to the foot and a Weight movably mounted thereonand adapted to be actuated by the movements of the foot and leg.

2. An exerciser comprising a supporting member adapted to be mounted onthe foot, a

guide member mounted thereon, and a Weight movable on said guide member.

3. An exerciser comprising a supporting member adapted to be mounted onthe foot, a guide member pivotally mounted thereon, and a Weight movableon said guide member.

4:. An exerciser comprising a supporting member adapted to be mounted onthe foot, a guide member pivotally mounted on said supporting member andadjustable thereon, and a Weight movable on said guide member.

5. An exerciser comprising an L shaped supporting-plate, means formounting same on the foot, a guide member carried thereby, and a Weightmovable on said guide member.

6. An exerciser comprising an L-shaped supporting-plate, means connectedtherewith for securing same to the foot, a guide member pivotallymounted thereon and adjustable relatively thereto, and a Weight movableon said guide member.

7. An exerciser comprising a supportingplate, means for securing same tothe foot, a plate pivotally secured between its ends to saidsupporting-plate and adjustable thereon, flanges at the ends of saidplate, a rod secured at its ends in said flanges, and a weightlongitudinally movable on said rod.

8. An exerciser comprising an L-shaped supporting-plate, means forsecuring same to the foot, a plate pivotally secured between its ends tosaid supporting-plate and adjustable thereon, flanges at the ends ofsaid plate, a rod secured at its ends in said flanges, and a Weightlongitudinally movable on said rod.

9. An exerciser comprising an L-shaped supporting-plate, means forsecuring same to the foot, a plate pivotally secured between its ends tosaid supporting-plate and adjustable thereon, flanges at the ends ofsaid plate, a rod secured at its ends in said flanges, and a Weightlongitudinally movable on said rod, and cushions interposed between theends of said Weight and the flanges of said plate.

In testimony WhereofI affix my signature in presence of tWo Witnesses.

WILLIAM GUY RUHL.

Witnesses:

RUDOLPH WM. Lorz, F. SCHLO'IFELD.

